The theme for this year's winter retreat was:
Emerge and Engage.
Emerge from the shadows of this world...from the darkness...from complacency.
Engage with those dying around you...the spiritual battle...the great abundant harvest.
It was an amazing weekend. Hard to imagine so much happening in just three short days.
So much preparation...so many prayers...so much anticipation....and then in a blink of an eye...it's over!
And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out My
Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams.
Acts 2:17
God has been making it evident to Jason and I that these are those sons and daughters. God IS pouring out His Spirit on these students and emboldening them to be great ambassadors of Christ. This weekend we heard story after story of teenagers radically standing up for their faith wherever they are and using ANY opportunity God places in front of them to witness to others. Our students were challenged not to just be crazy and adventurous in life...but in their walk with God as well!
I LOVE these kids.
My heart ached to hear of their passion for the Lord...but then to listen to how the enticement of this world pulls them back and entangles them.
There were many...MANY...late night sessions of heart felt weeping and praying.
There were commitments and decisions made that, I pray, will change the course of their lives.
And of course...there was silliness...and laughter...
and Lecrae...
and "dancing"...
and times of being thankful we have such an amazing group of kids!!!
The last session ended a bit unexpectedly.
Rather than having the worship band come up and send us off with a final farewell...they had all of the youth pastors and their wives stand up.
After a benediction of sorts...they had each youth group gather around their pastor and lay hands on him and his wife.
Then one of our senior guys prayed over us while Jason and I stood there WEEPING!!!
It was such a sweet, intimate time with our students. One that I will treasure for a very, very long time.
It was the perfect way for us to wrap up the weekend as a youth group...standing together to face the challenges that lay ahead!
3 comments:
Tears! I thought I would be there this year, too, but God had other plans for me. I am so glad Abbie was able to go.... so, so sad that Zac didn't want to. He is a good boy, with great friends who are also Christians (but don't attend our church)... and isn't wanting to participate in our functions. Makes my mama heart sad. I am praying for him. So glad that others around him are getting fired up for the Lord. Bless you and Jason for your ministry!
oh celia! i love that they love you and jason so much! thank you for loving Jesus and giving your whole heart - time, energy, emotion - to serving him and those kids. i'm happy you had a great time away and pray that what was learned will embolden and empower leaders to rise up and serve the group and our church.
I am so thankful for the ministry that you & Jason have...your hearts continue to amaze me as you pour out & pour into the youth (and everyone around you!!) You guys are impacting so many lives for the glory of God!! How wonderful that they laid hands on you guys & prayed over you to close out the conference!! Thank you for all the sacrifices you guys make to lead such a dynamic youth group! God bless you both!
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